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German-American Heritage Museum

The German-American Heritage Museum is the only national museum to celebrate, display, and commend the achievements of immigrants who came from German-speaking countries and achieved the American dream. It traces their progress with a timeline, which runs the full length of the exhibition hall. This timeline represents the 400-year presence of German-speakers, who came to America, starting in the 1600s. As one enters the museum, the stairs featuring the names and faces of famous German-Americans welcomes museum visitors and beckons them to venture upward, to the second floor where they will see a number of panels, pointing out the various dates in American history in which German-Americans have had an immense influence. The museum also houses relics from immigrant families with existing ties to their German heritage. You will be surprised when you see these artifacts and the 350lb. bust of Haendel as you round the corner. The museum designates an entire wall to families with a long line of German history, as well as German clubs, still active in the US. It is because of these paneled groups and families, and the hard work and dedication of the German-American Heritage Foundation and its members, that this museum, after years of diligence and determination was able to go from a mere pipe-dream to a center devoted to the cause of promoting and educating the public about German-Americans and their history. This museum is truly something to behold.